For decades, the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting has served as a financial equivalent of Woodstock, drawing tens of thousands of attendees eager to hear Warren Buffett share straightforward wisdom, crack jokes, and answer questions for hours on end.

This year will be different.

At 95 years old, Buffett will for the first time not be the central figure on stage, signaling a new era for one of the investment world's most closely watched events. This shift brings the spotlight onto Greg Abel, who is set to assume the CEO role in early 2026, and raises a critical question for Omaha: What will Berkshire Hathaway become without the man who defined it?

Investors and analysts suggest the meeting's tone may shift from Buffett's signature blend of investment philosophy and life advice toward a more business-focused discussion of operations, capital allocation, and a more detailed look into the conglomerate's inner workings.